Born on the Fourth of July

Summary

Based on the true story of Ron Kovic, a patriotic, All-American small town athlete who shocks his family by enlisting with the Marines to fight in the Vietnam War. After accidentally killing one of his own men in a firefight, he suffers a bullet wound that leaves him paralyzed from the chest down. Following a nightmarish stay in a veterans' hospital, Kovac journeys down an increasingly disillusioned and fragmented path that ultimately leaves him drunk and dissolute in Mexico. He eventually turns himself around and pulls his life together, becoming an outspoken anti-war activist in the process.

Production Stills

BORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY - Trailer ( 1989 )

Awards

Oscar Winner: Best Director - Oliver Stone, Best Film Editing. Oscar Nominee: Best Actor in a Leading Role - Tom Cruise, Best Cinematography; Best Music, Original Score; Best Picture; Best Sound; Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium. Golden Globe Winner: Best Director - Motion Picture Oliver Stone; Best Motion Picture - Drama; Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama, Tom Cruise; Best Screenplay - Motion Picture